Police have released photographs of six men they would like to speak to following violent riots in Portsmouth last week which left seven officers injured.
Around 200 people gathered in Eastney Marina on Sunday evening after a small boat carrying asylum seekers arrived on the south coast and crossed the English Channel. The next day, early in the morning, the activists dispersed.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene and vehicles belonging to the Coast Guard and Border Force were damaged.
The force said it had reviewed “hundreds of hours” of footage of the disturbance and released images of six men it believed “could assist our investigation”.
The appeal comes after the first person to face charges in connection with demonstrations in the city appeared in court on Saturday morning.
Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, appeared at magistrates’ court charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable.
A 16-year-old boy from Waterlooville was also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with last Sunday’s events. He is released on bail until December 12.
Anti-immigration activists returned to the streets of Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, where they faced counter-protests from anti-racism groups.
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rawlinson said the scenes at Eastney Marina went beyond a peaceful protest. “Violence and criminal damage have nothing to do with peaceful protest,” he said. “It is clear that the events of Sunday evening were not a peaceful protest, but rather violent civil disorder.”
Rawlinson said officers were working to protect people in the area and warned police would pursue those responsible after viewing the footage.
“The reality of community policing is that on-the-spot arrests are not always possible, especially when evidence may need to be tested to clearly determine who is responsible for offences,” he said.
He added that none of the seven wounded officers were seriously injured, but said they “did not deserve to be attacked” while policing a demonstration.
Police also said they were investigating online threats and abuse against officers and staff from partner agencies following the riot.
The force has appealed to anyone who recognizes the six men to contact police on 101 or report information online quoting reference 44260435943.
Rawlinson said: “If you break the law, we will take action against you and, if possible, seek prosecution.”